Vistakon Names Two Directors to Newly Created Professional Development Group

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., has announced the creation of a new professional development group, which combines its professional affairs, ODLean Consulting Program, and optometry school educational efforts into one department.

Damian May, Pharm.D., MBA, has been appointed senior director, strategy and professional development, responsible for working with the new organization to set the vision, strategy and roadmap for the group to meet the changing demands of the optometric marketplace.

Dick Wallingford, OD, FAAO, has been named senior director, professional affairs. In this expanded role, Dr. Wallingford will continue to lead the company’s professional affairs activities with associations and eyecare practitioners, as well as oversee management of its optometry school programs. W. Lee Ball, OD, FAAO, will continue to work with Wallingford to support these efforts.

Dr. May has been with Johnson & Johnson for seven years with experience in both the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device and Diagnostics Sectors. Since 2008, he has been responsible for market access and strategy for Vistakon, where his responsibilities included designing and implementing commercial, governmental and corporate strategies to address environmental changes and marketplace variables impacting product access and value delivery in the vision care marketplace, the company said.

Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson, he held positions with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Prudential Healthcare, Alcon Laboratories, and VHA, Inc. Dr. May maintains his status as a registered pharmacist in the state of Texas.

Wallingford joined Vistakon in 2008. He is a past president of the American Optometric Association, serving as the president from 2005-2006. He is also the past president of the Maine Optometric Association and past president of the Maine Board of Optometry, serving 11 years by the Governor’s appointment. Wallingford served on an AOA committee or board continuously for over 28 years.

Wallingford is a graduate of the New England College of Optometry and has served on their board of trustees for over 8 years. Wallingford has been in private practice, a partnership specializing in contact lenses, and a large OD/MD practice with two surgical suites and a Lasik center.